Early Police request the public’s help finding the suspect in a home invasion Tuesday night in Early on Mitsy Lane, near Heartland Mall.

Early Chief of Police David Mercer reported that at approximately 7:40pm, parents left three 11-year-old girls and a 7-year-old boy at home alone while they ran a short errand, expecting to be gone only 30 minutes.

According to police, shortly after the parents left, the three girls were in the bathroom and saw a black male looking through the window at them.  The girls ran into the living room at the back of the residence where the suspect then peered through a back door, the report states.  The girls then woke the 7-year-old boy from sleeping and all four children ran into a bedroom and pushed furniture against the door.  The suspect then walked to the front of the residence where he made entry to the home, activating the home alarm system, the report states.

The suspect then proceeded to the bedroom where the children were hiding and attempted to make entry but was kept out by the three girls who were holding the door shut with the help of a chair propped under the door knob, Mercer said.  The suspect cussed at the children during his attempt to make entry, then went to the bathroom where he rummaged through the cabinets, the report states.  While the suspect was in the bathroom, the children opened a side window and fled the home.

Shortly after the children made their escape, the male was seen exiting through the same window the children made their exit, the report states.  He then re-entered the home and rummaged through kitchen cabinets and the refrigerator, according to police.  After a short time, the suspect soon left on foot.

The children were able to make it to safety and call the police at a neighbor’s house.  The area surrounding the home was checked; however police are unable to locate the suspect.

During an interview, the girls were able to give a very detailed description and one reported seeing the subject in the area just a few days prior around midnight.

“To date, the motive is unknown and is open to several possibilities which include burglary, medication theft, looking for food, an assaultive crime or any combination of these crimes,” said Mercer regarding the incident.  “The Early Police Department is asking the public for help in apprehending this offender; who knows when or where he will strike again.”

Anyone with information or possible identity of the suspect is asked to contact the Early Police Department at 325-646-5322.

SUSPECT DESCRIPTION:

Dark skinned black male

Late 20’s

Tall 6’ 3” + (described as being super tall)

Approximately 250 lbs

Skinny, but muscular (skinny jaw line – with defined jaw bones)

No facial hair

No glasses

Scar on inner left forearm – running length wise

Tattoo on back of left leg (calf area)

***Two upper front teeth either gold or silver in color***

The suspect was last seen wearing a black, short sleeve shirt (longer) with holes in the back of it, dark blue denim jeans and black construction style boots with laces (possibly army boots).  The boots have a distinct tread pattern.  Keep in mind, these descriptions were given by small children and may have some error such as right being left.

Mercer stated that Early is not immune to these types of crimes, although they are rare.

“Everybody must do their part preventing crime—lock doors, be careful leaving kids at home alone and watch out for each other,” said Mercer.  “National Night Out gives this emphasis and this is exactly what it’s all about.”